How to get involved in your Child's education

﻿Back-to-School TipsConnecting with Your Child’s School Counselorfor a Successful School Year

Understand the expertise and responsibilities of your child’s school counselor. School counselors make a measurable impact in every student’s life, assisting with academic, career and personal/social development. Professional school counselors are trained in both educating and counseling, allowing them to function as a facilitator between parents, teachers and the student in matters concerning the student’s goals, abilities and any areas needing improvement. School counselors provide services not only to students in need, but to all students.

Meet or contact your child’s school counselor at least three times per school year. The beginning of a school year is an excellent opportunity to initiate contact with your child’s school counselor and doing so can ensure your child’s positive school experience. Find out who the counselor is and what his or her experience and background are. By communicating with one another at the beginning, middle, and end of the school year, parents and counselors can have a definite impact on a child’s success.

Discuss your child’s challenges and concerns with the school counselor. As a parent, you know your child best. However, the school counselor can help you better understand your child as a student. It’s important to encourage your child’s expression of needs, hopes and frustrations. School counselors are trained to help your children.

Learn about your child’s school and social connections from the school counselor. When you need information or assistance, your child’s school counselor can help you get in touch with the appropriate school officials; learn about school policies on behavior, attendance, and dress; know the school calendar of important dates and stay connected with the school in many other ways. The school counselor can also help you locate resources in the community when you need them.

Work with the school counselor to identify resources and find solutions to problems. If your child is having a problem at school, it is important to work with your child’s school counselor to find solutions. Discuss resources available within and outside of the school, and get information on how such programs can benefit your child. Your school counselor can be a valuable partner in your child’s education and preparation for life beyond school.

Discover Technology: Ever wonder how education is changing since you've been in school, and how can you get involved to help your child succeed in today's world?Technology is an ever-evolving phenomenon! Learning in 21st century classrooms provides distinct challenges, and opportunities for young students who deal with technology every day.

Suggestions for Parents/Guardians to Get Involved:-Develop an ongoing relationship with your child that supports collaborative exploration and learning about technology.-Help your child to trust you and communicate potentially problematic activity. -Stay calm and rational when dealing with technology related problems.Ask for help when you need it! -Support your child’s school in teaching the skills, knowledge, and attitudes included in technology/media literacy.The following document, from OnGuardOnline.gov, provides a guide for parents/guardians to better understand how technology affects children. It gives advice on how to talk to your kids about important issues such ascyberbullying, sexting, phishing, texting, p2p file sharing, as well as advice on ways to protect your children and help them make the most of growing up in the 21st century! Don't know what sexting, phishing, or p2p file sharing mean or how they affect your elementary school student?! Check out the publication for more information!